Two Eddington candidates are needed to run for the AOS (Alternative Organized System) School Board. Eddington has three positions on the Board, each of which holds a three-year term. Currently, one position is vacant. A second position is up for re-election. Elections are conduction in March.
Last March, Karen Clark was re-reelected to a three-year term. However, Karen and her family moved to Holden this past September or October. She did not officially notify the Town Office of this or change her official residence status until November 2, Election Day. Because she no longer resides in Eddington, she is not eligible to serve as an Eddington School Board member. Someone is needed to run for the two-year remainder of her term.
Pam Dorr's term of office expires in March. She has held the position for three years. This writer has been told Pam may not run for re-election. I do know she has missed meetings and experienced poor health during her term.
The only other Eddington School Board position is currently being held by Therese Anderson. Therese was re-elected two years ago. She is the Chairperson of the Board and is doing a fine job. But she can not represent Eddington alone.
Interested candidates need to go to the Eddington Town Office to pick up Filing Papers soon. Anyone interested in running will need to gather signatures of approximately 25 registered Eddington voters who support that candidate for the position. The Filing Papers need to be turned in to the Town Office by a specific date - some time in February, I believe.
Voting takes place shortly before the Eddington Town Meeting and the results are announced at the Town Meeting.
Things to know and consider:
Candidates need to be Eddington residents.
They do NOT need to be parents of children currently enrolled in any of the three schools within the school AOS.
Each school board member is required to attend the monthly school board meeting which is usually the fourth Monday of the month from 7pm to whenever business is concluded. Meeting sites rotate between the three schools (Eddington, Holbrook, & Holden).
School board members are required to participate on a certain number of standing committees. I believe three committees is the norm.
School Board members are required to attend the May Public Hearing to review the Proposed Budget for the coming year and to Listen to the Public's concerns and questions regarding that budget. Following that Public Hearing, the Board may make revisions to the Proposed Budget which is then voted on at another Public Meeting which School Board member are required to attend.
(It is also beneficial for School Board members to attend, if not actually participate on, the Budget and Financial Committee Meetings that take place prior to that Public Meeting. Those meetings usually begin in March. It can be expected the next three years will be challenging financial years for the School Board, teachers, AOS staff and taxpayers.) This makes it all the more important for people who are concerned about the quality of our schools' education AND costs, as well as AOS budgeting and financial management to be on the School Board.
Being on the School Board is not a light-weight responsibility. It is not for someone who is unwilling to consider new ideas or able to face hard financial realities. It is not for someone who is unwilling to face the fact that a disproportionate amount of the school budget will be bourne by senior citizen residents who are trying to live on not only fixed incomes - but incomes that are decreasing each year since social security has seen no cost of living increase in two years. And there will not be a COLA in 2011 either.
At the same time, we need School Board members who believe that having our students test at the State's Average is not good enough - not if this state is going to get out of the economic hole it is in. Academic Excellence is what we should be striving to provide for every student who is willing to work for it.
Are you someone who is willing to step forward to serve? If so, contact the Town Office Staff and ask for a School Board Candidate Filing Form. Consider it another way to serve your community and your country.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
G.I. BILL BENEFITS BILL ACTED ON BY CONGRESS THURSDAY
According to today's IAVA (Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America) emailed newsletter:
Congress passes expansion of GI Bill benefits
For the second time in two years, Congress has approved a major overhaul of GI Bill benefits, this time simplifying the formula for college tuition payments and awarding housing stipends to students attending classes online. The measure, which passed the House in a 409 to 3 vote Thursday afternoon, would also allow more veterans to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill to pay for vocational school and on-the-job training.
Congress passes expansion of GI Bill benefits
For the second time in two years, Congress has approved a major overhaul of GI Bill benefits, this time simplifying the formula for college tuition payments and awarding housing stipends to students attending classes online. The measure, which passed the House in a 409 to 3 vote Thursday afternoon, would also allow more veterans to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill to pay for vocational school and on-the-job training.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
THE WOES OF A LAZY DELIVERY DRIVER
Ever depend on some service only to find the driver of that service's truck is too lazy (or perhaps lacks to incentive) to take the "challenge" of a winter's weather? Happens here every winter. Living on the shoreline means having a driveway with a downward slope. And, granted, it is a long driveway. But it gets plowed. Especially if this writer needs to get out or a delivery is expected. For sure if there is more than a dusting of snow.
On the other hand, there is the inevitable contribution at the edge of the driveway left by the DOT plow as it cleans up the Maine Road, otherwise known as Route 9. If that mound is significant, either the family plow/plower will come back and clean it out or I trudge up the driveway (or drive up) with a shovel and clean it up. But most of the time my car and others drive through it so many times the mound becomes worn down to nothing but crunched snow. Certainly easy enough for a large fuel truck to drive over - except when the truck is driven by a driver who would "rather not" it seems. And so it was this past week.
Having checked the driveway on Wednesday, in anticipation for a delivery on Thursday, I knew there was no ice that would require sanding (at a cost of approximately $60.00 this year). And the driveway had been plowed Monday. But when there was no delivery, I called Friday morning to be told that the driver had left his company a note stating he had not delivered the oil because "the driveway needed to be plowed and sanded."
The heat in this house is not because of anything this writer can be billed for this week. We'll see if Sunday and Monday's projected three inches of rain will clear the driveway to that driver's satisfaction. Maybe it's time to look for a heating oil company that is hiring drivers who actually do the job they're paid to do. At $350.00 a delivery, one would hope so.
On the other hand, there is the inevitable contribution at the edge of the driveway left by the DOT plow as it cleans up the Maine Road, otherwise known as Route 9. If that mound is significant, either the family plow/plower will come back and clean it out or I trudge up the driveway (or drive up) with a shovel and clean it up. But most of the time my car and others drive through it so many times the mound becomes worn down to nothing but crunched snow. Certainly easy enough for a large fuel truck to drive over - except when the truck is driven by a driver who would "rather not" it seems. And so it was this past week.
Having checked the driveway on Wednesday, in anticipation for a delivery on Thursday, I knew there was no ice that would require sanding (at a cost of approximately $60.00 this year). And the driveway had been plowed Monday. But when there was no delivery, I called Friday morning to be told that the driver had left his company a note stating he had not delivered the oil because "the driveway needed to be plowed and sanded."
The heat in this house is not because of anything this writer can be billed for this week. We'll see if Sunday and Monday's projected three inches of rain will clear the driveway to that driver's satisfaction. Maybe it's time to look for a heating oil company that is hiring drivers who actually do the job they're paid to do. At $350.00 a delivery, one would hope so.
Friday, December 3, 2010
NO COMPLAINTS
It would appear the lake is just not ready to succumb to winter. Within the last two days all signs of ice have disappeared. We are back to open water, again. No complaints. Even with this weekends projected rain or snow or who knows what, there may just be open water for one more week. Have at it. Just fine by me.
****
With all the discussion in Washington regarding the recommendations from the President's Deficit Reduction Committee, the one he had to appoint because Congress refused to take on the problem, it is no wonder the Committee failed to garner the necessary 14 votes to move the Bill on to the floor. One of the recommendations was to freeze the salaries and benefits of the members of Congress but not those in the military. Now that is one recommendation I can support, I know too many military families who are in real financial difficulty, especially during repeated deployments. (And kudos to the President for appointing the Committee - no pat on the back to the members of Congress who wanted to walk away from the issue.)
There are a few of the other recommendations I have a problem with, such as eliminating the tax deduction for homeowner mortgage interest. That would be a "killer" for the housing industry, not to mention those of us already paying the interest and increasing property taxes and what would also be higher income taxes. For retirees trying to survive on fixed incomes, I just don't know where the money would come from to pay any taxes at all unless we stopped paying for the heat, electricity and gasoline we already can't afford. Even the taxes on gasoline would double. Just means we couldn't go anywhere except to the grocery store to buy food we couldn't afford.
Looking at the scenario this Debt Reduction Committee has put full square in the spotlight, one has to wonder why Congress has a problem on raising the income taxes on those making more than $250,000? Maybe an argument can be made for $250,000. It was explained to me today that many small business owners file a certain tax form that includes their personal and small business taxes together. So being taxed at a higher rate at the $250,000 level would hurt the job creation aspect. But this same person agreed that raising the limit to a compromise amount of $750,000 (instead of $1,000,000) would be equitable.
Leaving the tax break for those earning under $750,000 but increasing it for those earning over that amount would generate plenty of increased taxes - cut into the deficit, and still provide a tax break for the middle income Americans. A fair compromise if anyone in Congress would sit down and compromise. Talk about a Christmas Miracle.
****
With all the discussion in Washington regarding the recommendations from the President's Deficit Reduction Committee, the one he had to appoint because Congress refused to take on the problem, it is no wonder the Committee failed to garner the necessary 14 votes to move the Bill on to the floor. One of the recommendations was to freeze the salaries and benefits of the members of Congress but not those in the military. Now that is one recommendation I can support, I know too many military families who are in real financial difficulty, especially during repeated deployments. (And kudos to the President for appointing the Committee - no pat on the back to the members of Congress who wanted to walk away from the issue.)
There are a few of the other recommendations I have a problem with, such as eliminating the tax deduction for homeowner mortgage interest. That would be a "killer" for the housing industry, not to mention those of us already paying the interest and increasing property taxes and what would also be higher income taxes. For retirees trying to survive on fixed incomes, I just don't know where the money would come from to pay any taxes at all unless we stopped paying for the heat, electricity and gasoline we already can't afford. Even the taxes on gasoline would double. Just means we couldn't go anywhere except to the grocery store to buy food we couldn't afford.
Looking at the scenario this Debt Reduction Committee has put full square in the spotlight, one has to wonder why Congress has a problem on raising the income taxes on those making more than $250,000? Maybe an argument can be made for $250,000. It was explained to me today that many small business owners file a certain tax form that includes their personal and small business taxes together. So being taxed at a higher rate at the $250,000 level would hurt the job creation aspect. But this same person agreed that raising the limit to a compromise amount of $750,000 (instead of $1,000,000) would be equitable.
Leaving the tax break for those earning under $750,000 but increasing it for those earning over that amount would generate plenty of increased taxes - cut into the deficit, and still provide a tax break for the middle income Americans. A fair compromise if anyone in Congress would sit down and compromise. Talk about a Christmas Miracle.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
LATEST NEWS FROM MAINE HERITAGE POLICY CENTER
From Thursday's Maine Heritage Policy Center newsletter (via email):
On Monday, the U.S. Senate voted on an amendment that would ban earmarks, the legislative direction of federal funds for pet projects within an elected official's home state. Although the amendment was defeated by a vote of 56 to 39, Maine Senator Olympia Snowe cast her vote in favor of the earmark ban.
Below is a statement released yesterday by MHPC Communications Director Chris Cinquemani:
"The Maine Heritage Policy Center thanks Senator Olympia Snowe for her vote in favor of an amendment to ban legislative earmarks. This amendment, although largely symbolic, is an important step in demonstrating to taxpayers that the message they have sent has been heard. Maine people expect and deserve a federal government that is committed to fiscal restraint and common sense spending. Senator Snowe has shown that she has heard that message, and that she will abide by the will of Maine's struggling families and entrepreneurs. The Senator can count on our support as she and her colleagues search for ways to restrain government spending and improve the job climate."
Contact Senator Snowe's office today to thank her for standing firm against congressional pork: (202) 224-5344
Under the Statehouse Dome
Many of the officials who won on Election Day ran on a platform of lower taxes, less spending, less debt, and greater liberty for Maine citizens and entrepreneurs. Now that they are in office, we have two important tasks: first, to support those officials who advance these pro-growth policies in Augusta. Second, to hold officials accountable, and make sure they keep their word.
NOTE: To contact our
newly elected Representative, Dave Johnson: DJHouse20@Gmail.com
State Senator Richard Rosen: www.SenatorRichardRosen.com - or - rrosen113@aol.com
Supreme Court to rule on Matching Funds
On November 29, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case originating in Arizona to strike down The Grand Canyon State's matching funds provision included in its Clean Elections Act, on the basis that the provision violates free speech.
Matching funds "are distributed by the state to publicly funded candidates in order to offset private fundraising advantages of candidates who raise money the traditional way by soliciting donations from private interests, as well as spending on behalf of candidates by independent political groups."
Like Arizona, Maine's Clean Elections Act includes a matching funds provision. Earlier this year, The Maine Heritage Policy Center, in partnership with the James Madison Center for Free Speech, filed suit against Maine's matching funds provision. Our case has been appealed to federal court, but the outcome of the Arizona case in the Supreme Court may render our case in Maine a non-issue. If the Supreme Court rules Arizona's matching funds provision unconstitutional, Maine's will be as well.
Stay tuned...
On Monday, the U.S. Senate voted on an amendment that would ban earmarks, the legislative direction of federal funds for pet projects within an elected official's home state. Although the amendment was defeated by a vote of 56 to 39, Maine Senator Olympia Snowe cast her vote in favor of the earmark ban.
Below is a statement released yesterday by MHPC Communications Director Chris Cinquemani:
"The Maine Heritage Policy Center thanks Senator Olympia Snowe for her vote in favor of an amendment to ban legislative earmarks. This amendment, although largely symbolic, is an important step in demonstrating to taxpayers that the message they have sent has been heard. Maine people expect and deserve a federal government that is committed to fiscal restraint and common sense spending. Senator Snowe has shown that she has heard that message, and that she will abide by the will of Maine's struggling families and entrepreneurs. The Senator can count on our support as she and her colleagues search for ways to restrain government spending and improve the job climate."
Contact Senator Snowe's office today to thank her for standing firm against congressional pork: (202) 224-5344
Under the Statehouse Dome
Many of the officials who won on Election Day ran on a platform of lower taxes, less spending, less debt, and greater liberty for Maine citizens and entrepreneurs. Now that they are in office, we have two important tasks: first, to support those officials who advance these pro-growth policies in Augusta. Second, to hold officials accountable, and make sure they keep their word.
NOTE: To contact our
newly elected Representative, Dave Johnson: DJHouse20@Gmail.com
State Senator Richard Rosen: www.SenatorRichardRosen.com - or - rrosen113@aol.com
Supreme Court to rule on Matching Funds
On November 29, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case originating in Arizona to strike down The Grand Canyon State's matching funds provision included in its Clean Elections Act, on the basis that the provision violates free speech.
Matching funds "are distributed by the state to publicly funded candidates in order to offset private fundraising advantages of candidates who raise money the traditional way by soliciting donations from private interests, as well as spending on behalf of candidates by independent political groups."
Like Arizona, Maine's Clean Elections Act includes a matching funds provision. Earlier this year, The Maine Heritage Policy Center, in partnership with the James Madison Center for Free Speech, filed suit against Maine's matching funds provision. Our case has been appealed to federal court, but the outcome of the Arizona case in the Supreme Court may render our case in Maine a non-issue. If the Supreme Court rules Arizona's matching funds provision unconstitutional, Maine's will be as well.
Stay tuned...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
FICKLE FINGERS - IT IS OUR FATE I FEAR
With the rain projected for tonight and tomorrow, and even the temperatures not quite at freezing, we may have good ice skating on the lake should snow hold off for a week or so. Why? Because the water that was open only a few days ago has surrendered to the cold night air.
This morning, when at rising I thought I spied a single sliver of open water way out there in the middle, hope has dwindled. Not that anything or one should venture out heavier than a bird or perhaps a small chipmunk - not that there would be one so unwise. But ice there is, even though the patches of snow that remained a few days ago have gone. The lawn is a frozen, crunchy green. The few small piles of leaves are frozen hard. Not even a breeze moves them.
Driving through Bangor and Brewer yesterday on the way to mail out the last large box of Christmas gifts to the west coast, I had no problem in spotting entire driveways already covered with snowy ice. Perhaps they are so shaded even the sun of recent days never got a chance to shine into those areas. If so, winter started early for the cars and drivers there.
So far, my driveway is clear. Even the section in the upper part shaded by trees that was covered by crunchy snow as I drove out yesterday morning was clear with the gravel in control by the time I returned. That section is always the last to see the hard earth. However, behind my new neighbor's house, right at the base of their stairs where they often park, it is all icy. Perhaps there is a dip in the ground and the ice and snow has a greater depth. The sun can easily pour heat on the spot. Lots of ice melt will be applied there in the coming months.
But if the snow holds off, and the coming rain freezes hard on the lake, it will make for beautiful ice skating for those who venture forth when the time is right in a month or so. Time will tell. Right now the frozen water is high, much higher than it was this fall.
The fish will be going deep. It is time to pull out winter sweaters and gloves.
This morning, when at rising I thought I spied a single sliver of open water way out there in the middle, hope has dwindled. Not that anything or one should venture out heavier than a bird or perhaps a small chipmunk - not that there would be one so unwise. But ice there is, even though the patches of snow that remained a few days ago have gone. The lawn is a frozen, crunchy green. The few small piles of leaves are frozen hard. Not even a breeze moves them.
Driving through Bangor and Brewer yesterday on the way to mail out the last large box of Christmas gifts to the west coast, I had no problem in spotting entire driveways already covered with snowy ice. Perhaps they are so shaded even the sun of recent days never got a chance to shine into those areas. If so, winter started early for the cars and drivers there.
So far, my driveway is clear. Even the section in the upper part shaded by trees that was covered by crunchy snow as I drove out yesterday morning was clear with the gravel in control by the time I returned. That section is always the last to see the hard earth. However, behind my new neighbor's house, right at the base of their stairs where they often park, it is all icy. Perhaps there is a dip in the ground and the ice and snow has a greater depth. The sun can easily pour heat on the spot. Lots of ice melt will be applied there in the coming months.
But if the snow holds off, and the coming rain freezes hard on the lake, it will make for beautiful ice skating for those who venture forth when the time is right in a month or so. Time will tell. Right now the frozen water is high, much higher than it was this fall.
The fish will be going deep. It is time to pull out winter sweaters and gloves.
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